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Brother MFC-J1205W Review

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Updated Feb 15, 2024 2:55 PM

True Score

84
83
4

Experts

84
3,497

Consumers

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GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

The Brother MFC-J1205W is a worthy investment for home offices and families on a budget, thanks to its high page yield and stunning print and scan quality. However, its average print speed isn’t ideal for busy environments, and there is no automatic duplex printing.

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The Brother MFC-J1205W, introduced in 2021, is an entry-level inkjet printer designed for printing, scanning, and copying. It weighs 14.3 lbs, connects through WiFi and USB, and supports Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service, but lacks fax capabilities and Ethernet features common among the best printers.

The output tray can hold up to 50 sheets, while the input tray has a capacity of 150 sheets. With a 6000 x 1200 DPI print resolution, the J1205W prints on plain, inkjet, glossy, and recycled paper. You can opt for borderless printing, too, which is compatible with the Brother Mobile Connect App. Explore our comprehensive list of the best all-in-one printers here for more feature-packed alternatives.

Consensus

our Verdict

Designed for homes and small offices, the Brother MFC-J1205W is an economical inkjet printer. It delivers sharp and accurate details with its 1200 x 6000 DPI print resolution, and its precise 1200 DPI scan quality retains details. Furthermore, this printer is well-suited for moderately frequent printing with a high page yield (1178 black and 766 in color) and a satisfactory running cost of 2.675 cents/page.

The 15.025 PPM black-only printing speed is average, ranking in the middle of our verified, tested list, while its 6.025 PPM color printing speed ranks slightly above average in the same list. However, the lack of auto-duplex printing means you have to flip the pages manually for double-sided prints, and it can’t connect to a wired LAN due to the absence of an Ethernet port.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Excellent print quality
    • The Brother MFC-J1205W is good for families, home offices, and students seeking impressive print quality and reliable page yields (1178 black and 766 color).

    • The superb 1200 x 6000 DPI print resolution guarantees sharp prints with stand-out details.

  • Great scan quality
    • The 1200 DPI scan resolution is clear with precise text and vibrant colors, but it fails to capture finer details while digitizing photos.

  • Satisfactory running costs
    • Costing 2.675 cents per page, this printer’s operational expense is average, falling in the middle of our certified, tested products. It’s economical as long as you’re not printing too frequently.

Reason to Avoid

  • Average print speed
    • The 15.025 PPM black-only and 6.025 color printing speeds are average, ranking in the middle of our verified, tested list. They should be adequate only for moderately busy environments.

  • No auto-duplex printing
    • You have to manually flip the page for double-sided printing since it lacks auto-duplex mode, making it less convenient than other printers.

Brother MFC-J1205W Specs

Automatic Document FeederAutomatic Document FeederNo
Automatic Two-Sided PrintingAutomatic Two-Sided PrintingNo
Copier Resolution (B&W)Copier Resolution (B&W)Up to 1200 x 1200
Copier Resolution (Color)Copier Resolution (Color)1200 x 1200 dpi
DepthDepth14.1"
Duplex Scan FunctionDuplex Scan FunctionNo
Energy Star CertifiedEnergy Star CertifiedYes
HeightHeight19.9"
Integrated FaxIntegrated FaxYes
Max Paper WidthMax Paper Width14"
Mobile PrintingMobile PrintingYes
Number of Ink Cartridges RequiredNumber of Ink Cartridges Required4
Paper FeederPaper FeederCassette tray
Print Speed (B&W)Print Speed (B&W)16 ppm
Print Speed (Color)Print Speed (Color)9 ppm
Printer Resolution (B&W)Printer Resolution (B&W)Up to 6000 x 1200
Printer Resolution (Color)Printer Resolution (Color)Up to 6000 x 1200
Printer TypePrinter TypeAll In One, Copier, Printer, Scanner
Scanner ResolutionScanner ResolutionUp to 1200 x 2400
Scanner TypeScanner TypeFlatbed
Tray CapacityTray Capacity150
WidthWidth18.5"
WirelessWirelessYes

All Specs

Test Results

B&W Print Speed (ppm)15.025
Color Print Speed (ppm)6.025
B&W Printing Costs (¢ per page)2.675
Color Printing Costs (¢ per page)9.575
Color Accuracy (dE)0

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    Product Comparison

    Brother MFC-J1205W Review

    True Score

    84
    75
    81
    72
    NR

    Ranking

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    26

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    22

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    14

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    Market Context

    The Brother MFC-J1205W, introduced in 2021, is an entry-level inkjet printer designed for printing, scanning, and copying. It weighs 14.3 lbs, connects through WiFi and…

    The Brother MFC-J1205W, introduced in 2021, is an entry-level inkjet printer designed for printing, scanning, and copying. It weighs 14.3 lbs, connects through WiFi and USB, and supports Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service, but lacks fax capabilities and Ethernet features common among the best printers.

    The output tray can hold up to 50 sheets, while the input tray has a capacity of 150 sheets. With a 6000 x 1200 DPI print resolution, the J1205W prints on plain, inkjet, glossy, and recycled paper. You can opt for borderless printing, too, which is compatible with the Brother Mobile Connect App. Explore our comprehensive list of the best all-in-one printers here for more feature-packed alternatives.

    The Brother MFC-J1010DW and the Brother MFC-J1205DW are both budget printers offering clear and accurate print and scan quality for family and small office use….

    The Brother MFC-J1010DW and the Brother MFC-J1205DW are both budget printers offering clear and accurate print and scan quality for family and small office use. The main difference lies in their running costs, with the J1010DW costing double per page compared to the J1205DW. However, the J1010DW features auto duplex printing for added convenience. For another model with automatic duplex printing, read our Brother MFC-J1170DW review.

    While both printers are built for family and home use, the Brother MFC-J1205W has a broader color range and more accurate colors. However, the Brother…

    While both printers are built for family and home use, the Brother MFC-J1205W has a broader color range and more accurate colors. However, the Brother MFC-J4335DW, though a bit more expensive, offers better value for money with faster color printing speeds, higher page yield, and an automatic document feeder and duplex scanning. For an in-depth assessment, read our Brother MFC-J4335DW review.

    The Brother MFC-J1205W is a superior printer overall than the ultra-budget Canon Pixma MG3620, given its doubly fast print speeds in color, substantially lower printing…

    The Brother MFC-J1205W is a superior printer overall than the ultra-budget Canon Pixma MG3620, given its doubly fast print speeds in color, substantially lower printing costs, and higher print resolution. It also has a higher page yield for frequent printing and can hold up to three color cartridges, while the MG3620 can accommodate just one.

    Based on Brother USA’s replacement model guide, the Brother MFC-J1205W has replaced older models like the DCP-J152W, MFC-J245, MFC-J285DW, and MFC-J450DW. It boasts improvements such…

    Based on Brother USA’s replacement model guide, the Brother MFC-J1205W has replaced older models like the DCP-J152W, MFC-J245, MFC-J285DW, and MFC-J450DW. It boasts improvements such as greater input tray capacity, improved internal memory, and lowered printing costs.

    Automatic Document Feeder

    No

    Yes

    Yes

    No

    Automatic Two-Sided Printing

    No

    Yes

    Yes

    Yes

    Copier Resolution (B&W)

    Up to 1200 x 1200

    Up to 1200 x 1200

    1200 x 600 dpi

    Copier Resolution (Color)

    1200 x 1200 dpi

    1200 x 1200 dpi

    1200 x 1200 dpi

    Depth

    14.1"

    13.5"

    14.2"

    12"

    Duplex Scan Function

    No

    No

    No

    No

    Energy Star Certified

    Yes

    Yes

    Yes

    Yes

    Height

    19.9"

    15.7"

    7.1"

    6"

    Dig Deeper

    Brother MFC-J1010DW Review →

    Brother MFC-J4335DW Review →

    Canon Pixma MG3620 Review →

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    Score Card

    E

    Expert Score

    83

    *.75

    We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

    C

    Customer Score

    84

    *.25

    We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

    True Score

    84

    Expert Scores

    • PC Mag
      79.6

      Category Trust Rating

      80
      The Brother MFC-J1205W is an entry-level family and home-office AIO that prints well and, as… Read More

      By:

      William Harrel
    • Tom’s Guide
      80.25

      Category Trust Rating

      88
      Document printing, scanning and copying are the main attractions of this bargain-priced Brother multifunction, though… Read More

      By:

      Eric Butterfield
    • Digital Trends
      61.1

      Category Trust Rating

      80
      For a home office, the Brother MFC-J1205W will work well. It’s a particularly nice option… Read More

      By:

      Alan Truly
    • Consumer Reports
      71.6

      Category Trust Rating

      By:

      Unknown